2022-2023 cbhsports College Football Conference Championship Weekend Preview

Image Courtesy: Touchdown Wire — USA Today

CFP Top 6
1.Georgia 12-0 (8-0) This week: 14.LSU (Atlanta)
2.Michigan 12-0 (8-0) This week: Purdue (Indianapolis)
3.TCU 12-0 (8-0) This week: 10.Kansas State (Arlington)
4.USC 11-1 (8-1) This week: 11.Utah (Las Vegas)
5.Ohio State 11-1 (7-1) This week: N/A
6.Alabama 10-2 (6-2) This week: N/A

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of CFP Poll)
Pac-12 Championship
11.Utah vs. 4.USC (Las Vegas) (Friday, 8 PM ET, FOX)
Utah beat USC by a single point back on October 15th. The Trojans, led by Heisman favorite Caleb Williams, will look to solidify their case for a spot in the College Football Playoff with a third consecutive win over a top twenty-five team. Utah QB Cam Rising and RB Tavion Thomas will look to defeat Southern Cal for a second time this season and create chaos at this Sunday’s Selection Show. Projected Score: USC 38, Utah 24

Big 12 Championship
10.Kansas State vs. 3.TCU (Arlington) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
Kansas State had a double-digit lead at multiple points in their regular season game against TCU but like many of the Horned Frogs’ other games, they came back and won that game. The Horned Frogs’ QB Max Duggan has been spectacular this season even after getting replaced in spring ball. He replaced the injured Chandler Morris and never looked back. Duggan will lead TCU’s offense to another big win. Projected Score: TCU 42, Kansas State 31

SEC Championship
14.LSU vs. 1.Georgia (Atlanta) (Saturday, 4 PM ET, CBS)
Despite losing many players to the 2022 NFL Draft in April following a national championship win, Georgia coach Kirby Smart has led the Bulldogs to another perfect regular season. Without a surprising loss in their backyard of Atlanta on Saturday, they will be in the College Football Playoff as the top seed, playing on New Year’s Eve. On the opposite sideline, Brian Kelly led LSU to Atlanta in his first season as head coach. The tigers were upset last week by a previously struggling Texas A&M team and fell to 9-3. Thinking that LSU would be at the SEC Championship game following their season-opening loss to Florida State in their backyard of New Orleans is crazy to think and with a record that is now out of contention of making the CFP. Projected Score: Georgia 27, LSU 17

ACC Championship
23.North Carolina vs. 9.Clemson (Charlotte) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, ABC)
With a win last Saturday, Clemson would have been in good shape when it comes to their chances for this year’s College Football Playoff. But, they fell to instate rival South Carolina for the first time since 2013 and will face a North Carolina team that has lost its last two games. Tar Heel QB Drake Maye has not carried his team the entire year but a disappointing year for the Carolina defense has made it seem clear this team was not good enough to make a run at the CFP. This game, to me, comes down to who can make timely stops, and Clemson’s defense is one of the best in the country. Projected Score: Clemson 35, North Carolina 28

Big Ten Championship
Purdue vs. 2.Michigan (Indianapolis) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, FOX)
Michigan ran their way to 242 rushing yards in the second half in a dominant win over Ohio State, 45-23. With a win over Purdue, the Wolverines will be back in the College Football Playoff for a second consecutive season. Purdue will have to pose a threat to the dominant Michigan offensive line if they want to stop the Wolverine ground game and pull the upset. Aidan O’Connel, the Boilermaker QB, will also have to pace his offense well as opposing signal-caller JJ McCarthy threw three long passing touchdowns in Michigan’s win over Ohio State last Saturday, which means the Wolverines can score in a hurry. Projected Score: Michigan State 42, Purdue 24